Raber’s Bookstore

One of my favorite stops of this recent Holmes County trip was Raber’s Bookstore, located “2 miles south of Charm”, as it says on the business card. This photo is not of the store itself, but of an old schoolhouse nearby.

The bookstore has changed hands to the next generation and is run by a lively pair, we’ll call them “Atlee” and “Emma”. The store itself is housed in what looks to be an old milk house. It is quite cramped but cozy, with a low ceiling. They are constructing a new building for it next door, which will be sure to make browsing the shop a little easier.

When I dropped in, Emma was around, and we had a nice talk. She had heard about my book and seemed interested in it. I told her it was great to finally visit the store, which I’d pictured in my mind on numerous occasions when sending in orders by mail (among other publications, Raber’s sells the Almanac, or Calender).

Another customer dropped in, and later Atlee himself, who seemed equally warm and welcoming though he appeared to be busy with something, as he left shortly thereafter. I was signing the guest book as Atlee returned, asking Emma where his shotgun was. “I’m about to leave, there’s no need for that,” I interjected.

They seemed to get a kick out of that. And after a hearty laugh, I escaped unscathed.

Looking for more good reading on the Amish? Check out our list of best Amish books.

Get the Amish in your inbox

Related Articles to Raber’s Bookstore

Inside an Amish Bookstore Amish-owned Raber's book shop in Holmes County, Ohio We've featured Raber's Bookstore a number of times on this blog. Raber's is a longstanding Amish book seller in the heart of…

Friday Amish Round-Up From time to time we like to do these roundups of news and other bits: Ben J. Raber's Bookstore Ben J. Raber passed away about 2 weeks ago. He was…

Inside an Amish Stamp Shop If you walk to the back of Raber's Bookstore and hang a right, this is where you end up. The sister stamp shop to Raber's is full of everything you…

Anything with “bookstore” in the name gets my vote – I wish I could go there right now! Sounds adorable and I bet it’s so flattering when you walk into these places and they know of you and your book – that’s awesome! ☺

To G. Stutzman:
If you go south on CR 600 out of Charm, Raber’s bookstore is right before you come to TR 188, on the west side of the road. Don’t worry about not finding it; everybody in the southeast part of Holmes County probably knows where Raber’s Bookstore is. Just ask where “Bookstore Ben Raber” lives. (Yep more than one Ben Raber in Holmes County ) Mike

needless to say my mom had a fit when I told her “Rabers Bookstore” is on the world wide web! My Great grandpa started the shop, Then grandpa Ben and Emma kept it going until my parents Aden and Mary took it over a couple yrs ago.And yes they are seeing more out of towners and wondered why until mom stated asking where they found out about the bookstore! Need I say the web.90% of there business is mail orders but anyones welcome to stop in.I do love the pic that is posted, that is on my home place where I lived my first 22 yrs, it is the Chestnut Ridge School House where grandpa Ben went to school. The new Flat Ridge School is 1/2 north of there place now!

Hello, My husband and I was in the area on 3-13-12. We wanted to stop at Raber’s Bookstore but didn’t seem like it was open at 1:30 in the afternoon. There was no sign out front or anything indicating they were open.
I was wondering if they close for winter or have specific hours? If you have that information, I would greatly appreciate it. Out of respect, I didn’t go to the door, I would never intrude.
Thank you so much for all that you post.
Sincerely,
Carol

Sorry that you didnt get any service that day, but do not hesitate to knock on the door. On march 6 grandpa Ben Raber passed away and Mary Raber (mom) who is usually in the bookstore had a emer triple by-pass done the same afternoon, so she had been home only 4 days when you stopped in, but somebody is usually there to wait on customers. She is recovering greatly at this time!God is good!
Remember we do about 80% mail orders compared to our in store customers, so were usually packing books.

Susan,
www.abebooks.com has a used copy.
“German Made Easy” was listed in the 2009 catalog of Brookside Bookstore in Parkesburg, PA. Maybe someone else has an up-to-date catalog. Or maybe Raber’s will respond.

Thank you for responding. Can you tell me the cost? I’m enquiring for a friend (who doesn’t have computer or internet) .. I’ll get the info to her & then let her take it from there. She’s very interested in obtaining a copy. -Susan

I’m not 100% sure, i dont have the price list with me right now but i believe it is a little under $10.00 and shipping would be $4.00 for regular mail or $6.00 for priority. The store phone # is 330-893-1313, it is only for voicemail but if you leave a message somebody will call you back with a price or leave your # and i will give you a call when i am there tomorrow.

Hi; I am looking for a German New Testament, it is Leather Bound, with “Neue Testament” in gold script across the top front of the cover. It is embossed with spiral rings. The size of it is 6 and 3/8 inches tall and 4 inches wide. Inside the front cover it has the following. “Das Neue Testament nach der deutschen uebersetzung Martin Luthers- Neu durchgesehen nach dem vom Deutschen Evangelischen Kirchenauschusz genehmigten Text-London Britishe und Auslaendische Bibelgesellschaft-1957. All Print is in Black, I would like to know if you carry them for sale. you can get in touch with me at 432-209-1211 or my email-liwiebe@yahoo.com
A response would be greatly appreciated. Lisa Wiebe with Old Colony Mennonite Church, Seminole, TX

Hello My name is Lisa Wiebe. I am with the Old Colony Mennonite Church in Seminole, Texas. I need to order some Bibles again.
We have ordered from you before, I think the last time we ordered Bibles was in 2011.
The SKU for the Bibles on my receipt is BGERL, it’s a Ger/Eng Red Letter 6 X 8 3/4. I believe they come in 10 to a box, I would like to order at least 40 Bibles.
You can get in touch with me at 432-209-1211
Thank You and Have a wonderful Day
Lisa Wiebe

Hi Lisa,
Unless someone has a better idea, I can go to Rabers Bookstore soon, and give them your request. I can then call you with a total, not sure if they require payment upfront or not.

I don’t believe the Rabers would see this website to know about your request, they do not use internet from my understanding so I will call you when I get the information, within the next week I hope to go there.

Hey everyone, if you have questions about books, prices, ect. please feel free to write to the bookstore. Rabers Bookstore, 2467 CR 600, Baltic, OH 43804. or you can email me RachelleKaye@live.com i only work there a few days a week now but i will do my best to get back in touch with you and answer any questions that way!

That is great information you provided and thank you for taking care of this, maybe I’ll meet you soon myself.
I’ve only been there once but I think it was Mrs. Raber who was working. She was sooo sweet. Did Mr. Raber pass away?
That is a great bookstore, glad to know people have easier access to it then just driving there!

No problem! The bookstore is run by my grandma (Mary Raber) right now, her husband, my grandpa is still alive but doesn’t work in the store, before that it was run by my great-grandpa and he passes away about a year and a half ago.

I’m working on my husband’s genealogy line. His great-great grandfather was William Raber born in 1840 in Pennsylvania. My father-in-law just told me tonight that Williams’s father’s name was Benjamin Raber. When I googled Benjamin Raber, I stumbled upon this website for your bookstore. I can’t help but wonder if there might be a connection to your family. Do you happen to have any info on a Benjamin Raber from the early 1800’s that had a son named William in Pennsylvania? I would greatly appreciate any info you might have.

Lindsey I’d suggest writing directly to Raber’s bookstore if you want to get in touch with them. They know we’ve posted about them here, but since they are Amish I’m not sure how often they are aware of updates/comments. There are also a number of genealogy books among Amish which might shed some light.

[…] in the area, you can also drop in to the bookstore at the above address. When I last visited Raber’s Bookstore in April, Aden and Mary were in the process of expanding to a new facility, much larger than the […]